BUFFALO, N.Y.(WKBW) - A new study shows that female doctors are better, even though they earn on average $20,000 less than male doctors.

The study suggest patients treated by women are less likely to die from illnesses and less likely to have to return to the hospital.

This study was conducted by a team of doctors at Harvard. They followed Medicare patients hospitalized between 2011 and 2014. Patients who saw a female doctor were less likely to die within 30 days of leaving the hospital or be readmitted within a one-month span, after getting discharged.

The Journal of American Medical Association’s JAMA Internal Medicine believes the reason for this is because women practice medicine differently than men. Also, the study’s conclusions suggest women are better about communication and following rules in terms of how they practice medicine.

Many patients even find female physicians more nurturing than their male counterparts.

University at Buffalo Medical Director and Professor, Dr. Ellen Rich said doesn't think women are better doctors than men. She just believes women tends to listen to patients more and follow medical guidelines closely.

"I don't think that's true at all. I think this study is provocative, interesting, and hopefully we can learn some lessons from it to teach to every learner," Dr. Rich said.

The study’s conclusions suggest women are better about communication and following rules in terms of how they practice medicine.

Author of the study estimates “that approximately 32,000 fewer patients would die if male physicians could achieve the same outcomes as female physicians every year.”